Variable condenser



Jan. 1, 1929. 1,697,506

' H. H. IDE

VARIABLE CONDENSER Filed Feb. 4, 1925 219 Patented Jan. 1, 192,9."

Aunirsi)` s'iiAfrE-s.v PATENT orFicE.

may n.. ros, or LA emol, more, assioma ro KELLOGG SWITCHBOARD sunny coursier, or omesso, rumors, A oonroiwrron or IL'LmoIa l vitamin ooimmisim'.

Application nl ed Iebruary My inventionjelates to cbndensers'and has to do more particularly with. variable condensers with an air dielectric, such as are now in general use in radio'sets; and is of provided and the manner in which I sup` i port and space the plates of the rotor element to forma unit structure and, also, the plates of the fixed or stator element to form a u nit structure. V

Another feature of m invention is the provision of simple an dependable frictional means for maintaining the rotor eleinent'in its adjusted position relative to the. fixed or stator element of my condenser.

A further feature of my invention is thev l provision of means whereby the capacity of the condenser. may be varied by longitudinally slidin the rotor element on its supporting sha t. A y

The above features, as Well as others, will be more clearly and specifically pointed out iu Athe ensuing specification and appended claims, tand for clearer understanding of the same reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, 1nwhich like reference characters in the'severalviews denote like parts and in which: I

F ig. 1 is an elevation of thecondenser of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view ofFig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a rightfside view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-'-5 in Fig.' 3;

" Figr. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View of ictional means for holding the rotor position in relation Vthe l element in its adjiisted Theyvariable condenser of my'invention coinprisesin generala U-sliaped frameF, a, statorejleinent S, a rotor .elementB opera- 4, 1m. V Serial lo. 6,678.

tively associated with the stator element S, Il and a-friction element FD.

Referring now in detail to the di'erent parts of ymy invention the frame F'is made of any suitable ,material and consists of the base 1 and arms 2 and 3 which are integrally 00 formed parts of the base 1 and are at opposite ends and at right angles to the said base 1'. The base 1 and the arms 2 and 3 i each have threaded orifices 4 to receive screws (not shown) to hold the condenser 5 in proper relation to the panel and base board of the radioset, of which it'is a part.

Insulatingl members 5 and 6, 'formed of a suitable non-conducting material, are attachedto the frame F by means of screws 7 70v which pass through suitable orifices in the members 5 and 6 and have screw-'threaded engagement-with orifices (not shown) in the frame F.

Secured, by any suitable means, tothe ixiv1I sulating members 5 and 6"'are supportin members 8 and 9 having integrally form arms `10 and 11 forsup rting the spam means. The arms 10 an l1 extend upwaiidgly and outwardly from the insulating meml0 bers 5 and 6' so as to be in the proper posi- 'l tion to .support thestator element S. The arms l0 and 11 are. joined by an integrally' formed bridging member 12 which is used .for theV purpose of supporting and spaein 35 the plates ofjthe stator element. m bridgin strip 13 is used in association with the bri ging member 12, inte ally`.formed with the arms 10 and 1l of t e supporting `members 8 and 9, for spacing land supportaV 9 i ing the 'plates of the stator element," as will y now be described. A plurality ofi-notches lei-.and 15 are provided in the sides of the bridging member 12, the said notches 14 and' 15 being in staggered relation to each other. 95

A plurality of notches 16 4andl are provided -,in the sides of the bridging strip 13, tlie said notches 16 and 17 are also in staggered relationship to each other. The portions 14 and 15 of thebridging member 100 12 and the portions 16 and 17 of the bridging strip `13 are slightlysmaller in width than the width of the notches 14 and 15, 16 and 17 in the respective bridging member and bridging stri' 12 and 13 so that when 106 the bridgin mein rs 12 and 13 are placed with their acesgainst each other the portions 14 and 16'," of the bridging-member ends of the clampirigmeniben and. has screwwith a jtapped orifice 47 inthe arm 3 of the frame 'F to hold `thetsail arm 44 in lace.

Y The other end-'of the arm 44 is `forme into.'

an adjustable Yclamping member-48 -and is adapted Ito fit over thx'ld of the shaft 28. A screw 49 is provided which. extends through an opening inione of the extendin' another to clamp the arxi144 in posilon onV the cylindrical member or sha-ft 28 but not so tightj that the shaft 28 cannot notate. The extendiing ends of the arm 44 ar'etlex'f.-

ible enough to rmit this adjustment. By

rotating the adjustable screw 49 any degree of frictional engagement may be ,obtained between the clamping end of the arm 44 and the rotatable shaft 28..

Contact clips are provided for electrical connections-;.50 and 51 are the contact'clips for the stator element vS and 521s the conenters into a tappe tact clipfor the rotorelement R, the con-I nection being throu h the screw 7 which--` orifice in the base 1- of the metal frame F.

I have given a' detailed construction of the different velements of my condenser and I will now describe them' inoperative relation to eachother. y

The stator element S, which is composed of the plates 19 and the spacing and supporting members 8'-and 9 to form a nit structure, as has been described, is fastened by any suitable means such as rivets 53, to

the insulating and ksupporting members and '6, whichare fastened to the frame F by means of thescrews 7;

T-herotatable shaft 28 is inserted in the oriice 54, of th'e integrally vformed extension member of the arm 2, the lorifice 30- in the arm 2, the orifice 34 in the 'bearingY 32, theiorice 42` in the collarl 40, the orifices in theI plates 26 of the rotor element R, the orifice 41 of the collar 39, the orifice 34 of the bearing 31, the orifice 29. in the arm 3 of the U-shaped frame F, -and between the l 32 revolve when the shaft 28 'is' revolved. i'

clamping` extending arms'48 of the friction device FD. The set screws 35 in the bearinns are tightened until the bearings 31 and The bearingsare inserted as faraspossible into the orifices 29 'and 30-in the arms 2- and 3 before they aretightened-by means of the set screws 35, toprevent the longitu'i dinn'l movcmentof the shaft28 and to-proyi'rle abearing surface. The plates 26 and the spacing and supporting members 36 and '37 whi'chcom osea unit structure as'has been descri i are then adjusted in 'the g.gfealiiplate 19 of; the stator element S.

'proper positiong'on`the'shaft 28 to make flic4 condenser of the proper capacity. This is done-as follows:

.The' plates 26 that form the rotor element are revolved .about the shaft 28 until every partiofeachplate 26 isabov every 'peli capacityef the condenser is. determined byf,

the nu'mber of-plates of the rotor element 'R that are located in the air between the. plates 19 of the stator`v` ementS. 80

-. It can be readily understood that in a condenser-of this type, which haal an adjustable rotor element, thatdiereut ca acities may be obtained simply by slidi e rotor element'R' longitudinally on ntlie shaft 28 so 85' that when the shaft isfrevoled, 'as will be described Apresentl Vany"predetermined number of rotor p ates26 ,willbe located between the' plates 19 of the 'statol-Lel'ement S. When the proper position et-'the rotor element is obtained setscrews'43, infthe collars 39 and 400i the unit structure rotor element R, will be screwed into .the orifices provided in the collars 39 and 40 tocome lnto contact withthel shaft 28. This contact serves the double purpose of holding the rotor element R in' its adjusted position -dprevent longitudinal movement 'of the' y sai rotor element R. and also causes the rotor element R to revolve as awhole with'.A 100 the shaft 28 when the said shaft28`revolvesl-' Therotation of ,the plates 26 will' canse the plates 26, to rise above the topsof .the plates 19 of the stator element S,thuschanging the area of the rotor plates 26 that are lo- 105 cated'- between the plates 19 'of the stator element S and consequently a change in the capacity of the condenser. 4All of which will be easily discerned by one familiar with v the art.

condenser of jst the size to furnish 'the 'A maximum capacity necessar to tune theA dcsired circuit. This means t at the tuning is spread out over the'wholev 180 degrees of movement. of. the condenser, thus further separating the stations on the dial. I accomplish this result by'having the rotor clement of my condenser adjustable longilu, dinally so that just the necessary number of 129 rotor-,plates willappear between the stator. plates to ro vide" the desired maximum i capacity, W en the rotorplates are entirely in between thel stator plates. The dial may then be rotated to change the capacity, from the maximum set valueto zero.

l-After the rotorl element B has been-properly-positioned the adjustingfscrew' 49 of. thefrietion'device FD isadjusted. to clainp theextension members, of .the clamping end 13 isle-be understood that 'I- doxnaewish 'to be? as has been describedllpreviously.V

of the tighter upon shaft 28 to cause the shaft. and partsassociate'd with it to remain in 'any offitsadju'sted' positions i 'Warne I hgve described and mammals particular4 embodiment of my invention, it

limited to` theex'act structuras 'shown and described,-as -many changes and modifications yvill" 1'eadilysue'gest themselves.. Therefore, itis to be understoodfthat' 1 intendto cover all that which ma .come withv -in the s cop'e and spirit of t e` appended claims.' y

" Having described myinvention what I claim as new andvdesire tosecure 'by Letters 1. Ajdevice' of the-- character dleseribed including amounting frame, a air of insulation strips secured tosaid mou ting frame, aplurality of stationary plates and bridging members holding said plates inspaccd rela tion, 'means integral lwith certain .of said i bridging members for securing saidstationrality of rotary plates and Abridging memary platesto'i-said insulation strips,ja plubers holding said rotary plates inspaced relation, a. shaft for rotating said rotary plates, andwmeans for adjusting said rotary plates on 'saidfshaft so thatditerent members of saidj rotary plates :may -be .interfleafed with said stationary plates.

" relation, 'a shaft for rotatingA said rotary' plates, said rotary.- latesconstituting a unit and being adjustab e longitudinally on said shaft with respect to saidf'fstationary plates.-

A condenser provdedfyvithfa mounting frame and a pair of'insulation strips secured thereto, a rotatable-shaft extending through the free ends ofi'. said gframe, a stationary element c oniprisinv'ja plurality of plates Aand `members for holding said plates in spaced relation to form saidl stationary element,

certain ofsaid members providing, means for securing said stationary element tofsaid `fra`me,'a rotary element c omprismga pluralit of platesl and bridgingmembers for holdlng 'said' plates in' spaced relation -to form said rotarylelement, saidfrotary element being adjustable 'on said shaft to pronumber' of'maximum capacities,- said adjustable from -v including' a gzffiarlne,-` plates'and bridgi v "members` fonls'paeing.. said plates, means integrally formedfwith certainfot said -bridging members -attached to insulation stripsfsecurgcd to the in terme-p 'diateortion of said frame, agi'tary' shaft exten 'ng through the free endsoi saidl frame, .and a rotary unit ladjustable longivtudinally on said shaft.

; 5, A condenser of ,the character described 4including a stationary element and a rot'ary element, said stationary element comprising a lura'lity of 'plates,b'r idging members for ho ding"said plates together, said rotary element' likewise 'comprisi'n a plurality' of rotor plates together, a. UA-shaped frame,

means integrally formed with certain of firstsai'd bridged members forattaching -said' stationary element to' said frame, a shaft for said rotary element, and means for longitudinally:adjusting said rotary element on .said shaft so that different numbers of saidrotary plates maybe inter-le'afedV with said stationary plates.

6. A' device -of the character .including :uU-shaped mounting frame, a

described rotary shaft extending through the frceend ofgsaidl frame, a rotor element comprising a' plurality 'ot plates supported upon said -shaft and adjustable longitudinally thereon, vbearings for. said shaft in said frame, ad-

justable members on said shaft contacting said bearings, anda split member attached to saidy frameiand substantially surrounding -said for.

7. A v device of the character described including a Ueshaped mounting frame, a -shafty extending through the free ends of said drame, a rotor element comprising a plurality of plates supported upon said-shaft ings for said shaft in said frame, adj ustablc vmembers on'said shaft contacting said bearings tvo prevent longitudinal-v movement of ,-said' shaft, and a` member attached to said frame substantially encircling said' shaft and being Ladjustable to regulate the' friction f between said member and said shaft. A

lSQA device -o'f the character described shaft, forming positioning means there?A and 'adjustable 'longitudinally thereon, bear-V including a U-sha'ped mounting frame, a

"shaftfextending through the free' ends of Isaidvframe, conical bearings for said shaft in sa'idfr'ame, conical members adjustably secured'on s id shaft contacting saidf'conical bearings in said, -'frame to preventl "long'i-l tudina movementof said shaft, 'and a frictionzme'mb'er' attached 'to said frame circling said shaft, said .member having a' split portion and being adjustable' to 'regulate the [de fee of friction between said. and

ment and being l for hol ing said plates 1,697,006 circling the'rotary sliaftof saidlrotar. elecomprising 'a plurality of plates,

spaced relation, certain of said bridge inembers being provided with integrally formed brackets for securing said stator element to said frame, plurality .of plates and bridging meiiihers in .spaced relation, a shaf Afor rotatably supporting said rotor element, land means on said rotor element for lelfmitting aid rotor element to be adjusted longitudine ly on said shaft relative to said Y stationary element.

11. A device-of the character described including a U-sliaped frame, a statoreleiiientcomprising bridge -members for holding said plates in spaced-relation, certain of said bridge members' being provided with integrally formed brackets, a rotor element coinprising a plurality of plates and bridging members' for holding said rotor plates in spaced relation, a shaft for. rotatably` supporting said rotor element` bearings in the free ends of said Ufshaped frame, and inemcontacting said bearings bers on said shaft frame to prevent longitudinal movement of said shaft, and means onjsaidrotor element for permitting said rotor eleinent-to be adjusted longitudinally onsaid shaft relative to said stator eleiiiet. 12. A- device of the character described including aU-sliaped frame, a stator element adjustable to provite tlie" desired friction between said shaftand said- .belri provided 4the bridg a rotor element comprising 'aa plurality of plates,

members for holding said plates in relation, certain 'of' said with integrally formed brac ets, insulation strips 'secured to Asaid brackets element,r rality of ment and means on said rotor element to permit adjustmentv of said rotor element 'longitudinally along said shaft relative to.`

C members for holding .said plate in spaced. 4relation, certain` of sa id bridge members being provided' withl integrally `formed brackets for securing said statorelemerit to said frame,a v'rotor element comprising a plurality of plates andbridging members. ioldingsaid plates in spaced' relation, a rotary shaftextending through'thefree ends 4 of said frame, bearings in said frame, bearings on said shaft and adjustable on said shaft into contact with the bearings in said frame to' prevent Alongitudinal movement ofi said shaft,"and adjustable means;for adjustably securing saidxrotor element longitudinally 'along said shaft relativel to said stator element.

Signed by meat' Chicago, in the county' of Cook and State of Illinois, 'this 2d diy 75 of February, 1925.

' kHainaut H. IDE

bridge 40` I spaced bridge members and beingr secured on cach .side of 45 e of said frame to support saidstator a rotor element comprising a' pluplates and bridging members for holding said plates in spaced relation, a shaft for rotatably suporting said rotor ele- 50 described 55 

